Dual Mode USB and Serial Console Port

ABSTRACT

An information handling system includes a service connector operable to receive an RS-232 signal and a USB signal. The service connector is a USB type connector. The information handling system also includes a voltage converter operable to convert the RS-232 signal from a first voltage level to a first serial signal at a second voltage level when a signal received by the service connector is the RS-232 signal, a protocol converter operable to convert the USB signal to a second serial signal at the second voltage level when the signal received by the service connector is the USB signal, and a UART operable to receive the first serial signal and the second serial signal.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, andmore particularly to accessing a management controller using multipleprotocols without conflict.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system. An information handlingsystem generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Becausetechnology and information handling needs and requirements may varybetween different applications, information handling systems may alsovary regarding what information is handled, how the information ishandled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, andhow quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, orcommunicated. The variations in information handling systems allow forinformation handling systems to be general or configured for a specificuser or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airlinereservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. Inaddition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardwareand software resources that may be configured to process, store, andcommunicate information and may include one or more computer systems,data storage systems, and networking systems. In an enterprise computingenvironment, a management system can be connected to a server, a networkappliance, a storage system, or other elements of the enterprisecomputing environment. The management system provides a systemadministrator with an ability to configure the elements of theenterprise computing environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn toscale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements areexaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporatingteachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respectto the drawings presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information handling systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams illustrating various use cases for theinformation handling system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an information handling systemaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are block diagrams illustrating various use cases for theinformation handling system of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an information handling systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The followingdiscussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of theteachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachings,and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope orapplicability of the teachings. However, other teachings can certainlybe used in this application. The teachings can also be used in otherapplications, and with several different types of architectures, such asdistributed computing architectures, client/server architectures, ormiddleware server architectures and associated resources.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a managed information handlingsystem 100. For purpose of this disclosure an information handlingsystem may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalitiesoperable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve,originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce,handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data forbusiness, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. Forexample, an information handling system may be a personal computer, aPDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, aswitch router or other network communication device, or any othersuitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality,and price. The information handling system may include memory, one ormore processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) orhardware or software control logic, and operates to execute code.Additional components of the information handling system may include oneor more storage devices that can store code, one or more communicationsports for communicating with external devices as well as various inputand output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a videodisplay. The information handling system may also include one or morebuses operable to transmit communications between the various hardwarecomponents.

Managed information handling system 100 includes a service connector110, multiplexers 115 and 130, a voltage converter 120, a USB-to-Serialprotocol converter 125, a chipset component 135, a control consolemodule 140, indicators 145 and 155, and a pull-up resistor 150. Serviceconnector 110 is a serial communication connector. In a particularembodiment, service connector 110 represents a Universal Serial Bus(USB) connector such as a Type-A connector, a Type-B connector, a Mini-Aconnector, a Mini-B connector, or another USB connector, as needed ordesired. The serial communication connections of service connector 110are connected to a de-multiplexed port of multiplexer 115, and a VBUS(5V) connection is connected to selector inputs of multiplexers 115 and130, to pull-up resistor 150, and to indicator 155. A first multiplexedport (port 0) of multiplexer 115 is connected to a high voltage levelport of voltage converter 120, and a low voltage level port of thevoltage converter is connected to a first multiplexed port (port 0) ofmultiplexer 130. A second multiplexed port (port 1) of multiplexer 115is connected to a USB signal port of USB-to-Serial protocol converter125, and a serial signal port of the USB-to-Serial protocol converter isconnected to a second multiplexed port (port 1) of multiplexer 130.Chipset component 135 includes a universal asynchronousreceiver/transmitter (UART) 137 that is connected to a de-multiplexedport of multiplexer 130 and operates to translate serial data receivedfrom the multiplexer to parallel data, and vice versa. Chipset component135 is connected to control console module 140 and to indicator 145.

Control console module 140 operates to provide an interface whereby asystem administrator can configure information handling system 100. Forexample, a system administrator can connect a management system 160 or170 to service connector 110 with a service cable 165 or 175, and canaccess control console module 140 to access a command line interfacewhereby the system administrator can set operating conditions withininformation handling system 100, such as basic input/output system(BIOS) settings, firmware settings, other operating conditions, or thelike. Control console module 140 is illustrated as being connected tochipset component 135, but this is not necessarily so, and the controlconsole module can be implemented as a part of the BIOS, a systemmanagement suite, or other hardware or code on information handlingsystem 100, as needed or desired.

As such, management systems 160 and 170 include system managementprograms that permit the management systems to communicate with controlconsole module 140 via serial communication links. Management system 160operates to communicate with control console module 140 using an RS-232serial communication protocol (i.e., a +12V/−12V serial data signal) viaa DB-9 connector, and so service cable 165 includes a DB-9 connector forconnecting to the management system and a USB type connector forconnecting to service connector 110. Management system 170 operates tocommunicate with control console module 140 using a USB communicationprotocol via a USB connector, and so service cable 175 includes a USBtype connector for connecting to the management system and another USBtype connector for connecting to service connector 110. In a particularembodiment, service cable 175 includes a USB Type-A connector forconnecting to management system 170, and a USB Mini-B connector forconnecting to service connector 110. Note that, although serviceconnector 110 is a USB type connector, the service connector does notprovide a standard USB port functionality to information handling system100. Rather, service connector 110 operates to provide a physical USBconnection for translating RS-232 serial communications from managementsystem 160 to a 3.3V serial communications protocol to UART 137, and totranslate USB communications from management system 170 into the 3.3Vserial communications protocol to the UART. The detailed operation ofinformation handling system 100 is described in FIGS. 2 and 3, below.

FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of information handling system 100 whenmanagement system 160 is connected to the information handling systemvia service cable 165. The DB-9 connector of service cable 165 isconnected to management system 160 and the USB type connector isconnected to service connector 110. Here, because there is no VBUS (5V)connection equivalent in the DB-9 connection, the selector inputs tomultiplexers 115 and 130 are pulled to a low state by pull-down resistor150, and the multiplexers are each set to their default, port 0selected, state. Management system 160 communicates a +12V/−12Vcommunication signal to service connector 110, and the signal isprovided to the input of multiplexer 115. Because port 0 is selected atmultiplexer 115, the signal is routed to voltage converter 120 where the+12V/−12V signal is converted to a 3.3V signal level and because port 0is selected at multiplexer 130, the converted signal is routed to UART137. Chipset component 135 detects that UART 137 is receiving the signaland establishes the communication link to control console module 140,and also sets an output to indicator 145. Indicator 145 includes a lightemitting diode which illuminates a connection good indication 147 whenthe communication link between management system 160 and control consolemodule 140 is established. The skilled artisan will recognize that thecommunication link between management system 160 and control consolemodule 140 is a bidirectional link, and that multiplexers 115 and 130are therefore bidirectional elements of information handling system 100,and that voltage converter 120 also operates to convert 3.3V signalsfrom UART 137 to +12V/−12V signals to management system 160.

FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of information handling system 100 whenmanagement system 170 is connected to the information handling systemvia service cable 175. One of the USB type connectors of service cable175 is connected to management system 170 and the other USB typeconnector is connected to service connector 110. Here the VBUS (5V)connection is present, so the selector inputs to multiplexers 115 and130 are in a high state, and the multiplexers are each in the port 1selected state. The presence of the VBUS (5V) voltage also serves toprovide power to indicator 155. Indicator 155 includes a light emittingdiode which illuminates a USB connection indication 157 when managementsystem 170 is connected to service connector 110. USB connectionindication 157 serves as a visual indication that service connector 110is a service connection that uses a physical USB connector tocommunicate with control console module 140. Management system 170communicates a USB communication signal to service connector 110, andthe signal is provided to the input of multiplexer 115. Because port 1is selected at multiplexer 115, the signal is routed to USB-to-Serialprotocol converter 125 where the USB signal is converted to a 3.3Vsignal level and because port 1 is selected at multiplexer 130, theconverted signal is routed to UART 137. Chipset component 135 detectsthat UART 137 is receiving the signal and establishes the communicationlink to control console module 140, and also sets the output toindicator 145, thereby illuminating connection good indication 147 whenthe communication link between management system 170 and control consolemodule 140 is established. The skilled artisan will recognize that thecommunication link between management system 170 and control consolemodule 140 is also a bidirectional link, and that USB-to-Serial protocolconverter 125 also operates to convert 3.3V signals from UART 137 to USBsignals to management system 170. In a particular embodiment,USB-to-Serial protocol converter 125 is powered using a 5V power plane,and the presence of the VBUS (5V) voltage is also provided to a powerconnection of the USB-to-Serial protocol converter. In this way,USB-to-Serial protocol converter 125 consumes no power unless managementsystem 170 is connected to information handling system 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a managed information handlingsystem 200, similar to information handling system 100, including aservice connector 210, a voltage converter 220, a chipset component 235,a control console module 240, and indicators 245 and 255. Serviceconnector 210 is a serial communication connector, and represents a USBconnector. The serial communication connections of service connector 210are connected to a high voltage level port of voltage converter 220, anda low voltage level port of the voltage converter is connected to UART237 of chipset 235. The VBUS (5V) connection of service connector 210 isconnected to indicator 255. Chipset component 235 is connected tocontrol console module 240 and to indicator 245.

Control console module 240 is similar to control console module 140, andoperates to provide an interface whereby a system administrator canconfigure information handling system 200. For example, the systemadministrator can connect management system 160 to service connector 210with service cable 165 to access control console module 240. Managementsystem 160 operates to communicate with control console module 240 usingthe RS-232 serial communication protocol via the DB-9 connector.However, because information handling system 200 lacks multiplexers or aUSB-to-serial protocol converter, management system 170 can not beconnected to information handling system 200 to access control consolemodule 240. Thus, although service connector 210 is a USB typeconnector, the service connector does not provide any USB portfunctionality to information handling system 200. Rather, serviceconnector 110 operates to provide a physical USB connection fortranslating RS-232 serial communications from management system 260 to a3.3V serial communications protocol to UART 237, as described below.

FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of information handling system 200 whenmanagement system 160 is connected to the information handling systemvia service cable 165. The DB-9 connector of service cable 165 isconnected to management system 160 and the USB type connector isconnected to service connector 210. Management system 160 communicates a+12V/−12V communication signal to service connector 210, and the signalis provided to the high voltage level input of voltage converter 220where the +12V/−12V signal is converted to a 3.3V signal level, and theconverted signal is routed to UART 237. Chipset component 235 detectsthat UART 237 is receiving the signal and establishes the communicationlink to control console module 240, and also sets an output to indicator245. Indicator 245 includes a light emitting diode which illuminates aconnection good indication 247 when the communication link betweenmanagement system 160 and control console module 240 is established. Theskilled artisan will recognize that the communication link betweenmanagement system 160 and control console module 240 is a bidirectionallink, and that voltage converter 220 also operates to convert 3.3Vsignals from UART 237 to +12V/−12V signals to management system 160.

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of information handling system 200 whenan attempt is made to connect management system 170 to the informationhandling system. One of the USB type connectors of service cable 175 isconnected to management system 170 and the other USB type connector isconnected to service connector 210. Here the VBUS (5V) connection ispresent, so the VBUS (5V) voltage is provided to power indicator 255.Indicator 255 includes a light emitting diode which illuminates a no-USBconnection indication 257 when management system 170 is connected toservice connector 210. No-USB connection indication 257 serves as avisual indication that service connector 210 does not provide any USBport functionality to information handling system 200. Management system170 communicates a USB communication signal to service connector 210,and the signal is provided to the high voltage level input of voltageconverter 220. However, because the USB signal voltage level an RS-232protocol signal, the low voltage level output of the voltage converterdoes not provide a valid signal to UART 212, and no connection is madewith control console module 240, and indicator 245 is not illuminated.

FIG. 7 illustrates an information handling system 700 including aprocessor 702 and one or more additional processors 704, a chipset 710,a memory 720, a graphics interface 730, include a basic input and outputsystem/extensible firmware interface (BIOS/EFI) module 740, a diskcontroller 750, a disk emulator 760, an input/output (I/O) interface770, a network interface 780, and a management controller (MC) 790.Processor 702 is connected to chipset 710 via processor interface 706,and processor 704 is connected to the chipset via processor interface708. Memory 720 is connected to chipset 710 via a memory bus 722.Graphics interface 730 is connected to chipset 710 via a graphicsinterface 732, and provides a video display output 736 to a videodisplay 734. In a particular embodiment, information handling system 700includes separate memories that are dedicated to each of processors 702and 704 via separate memory interfaces. An example of memory 720includes random access memory (RAM) such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamicRAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NV-RAM), or the like, read only memory(ROM), another type of memory, or a combination thereof.

BIOS/EFI module 740, disk controller 750, and I/O interface 770 areconnected to chipset 710 via an I/O channel 712. An example of I/Ochannel 712 includes a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)interface, a PCI-Extended (PCI-X) interface, a high-speed PCI-Express(PCIe) interface, another industry standard or proprietary communicationinterface, or a combination thereof. Chipset 710 can also include one ormore other I/O interfaces, including an Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) interface, a Small Computer Serial Interface (SCSI) interface, anInter-Integrated Circuit (I²C) interface, a System Packet Interface(SPI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB), another interface, or a combinationthereof. BIOS/EFI module 740 includes BIOS/EFI code operable to detectresources within information handling system 700, to provide drivers forthe resources, initialize the resources, and access the resources.BIOS/EFI module 740 includes code that operates to detect resourceswithin information handling system 700, to provide drivers for theresources, to initialize the resources, and to access the resources.

Disk controller 750 includes a disk interface 752 that connects the disccontroller to a hard disk drive (HDD) 754, to an optical disk drive(ODD) 756, and to disk emulator 760. An example of disk interface 752includes an Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) interface, an AdvancedTechnology Attachment (ATA) such as a parallel ATA (PATA) interface or aserial ATA (SATA) interface, a SCSI interface, a USB interface, aproprietary interface, or a combination thereof. Disk emulator 760permits a solid-state drive 764 to be coupled to information handlingsystem 700 via an external interface 762. An example of externalinterface 762 includes a USB interface, an IEEE 1394 (Firewire)interface, a proprietary interface, or a combination thereof.Alternatively, solid-state drive 764 can be disposed within informationhandling system 700.

I/O interface 770 includes a peripheral interface 772 that connects theI/O interface to an add-on resource 774 and to network interface 780.Peripheral interface 772 can be the same type of interface as I/Ochannel 712, or can be a different type of interface. As such, I/Ointerface 770 extends the capacity of I/O channel 712 when peripheralinterface 772 and the I/O channel are of the same type, and the I/Ointerface translates information from a format suitable to the I/Ochannel to a format suitable to the peripheral channel 772 when they areof a different type. Add-on resource 774 can include a data storagesystem, an additional graphics interface, a network interface card(NIC), a sound/video processing card, another add-on resource, or acombination thereof. Add-on resource 774 can be on a main circuit board,on separate circuit board or add-in card disposed within informationhandling system 700, a device that is external to the informationhandling system, or a combination thereof.

In a particular embodiment, add-on resource 774 includes an option ROM(not illustrated). The option ROM is a firmware component supplied bythe maker of add-on resource 774 and that operates to initialize andconfigure the add-on resource 774 during boot of information handlingsystem 700. The option ROM extends the functionality of BIOS/EFI module740 to incorporate the functionality of add-on resource 774 intoinformation handling system 700. As such, the option ROM provides aninterface between BIOS/EFI module 740 and add-on resource 774,permitting the BIOS/EFI module to implement functions specific to theadd-on resource 774, such as power-on self test, interrupt service, orinput/output service calls. The option ROM may be in memory 720, or in amemory of add-on resource 774.

Network interface 780 represents a NIC disposed within informationhandling system 700, on a main circuit board of the information handlingsystem, integrated onto another component such as chipset 710, inanother suitable location, or a combination thereof. Network interfacedevice 780 includes network channels 782 and 784 that provide interfacesto devices that are external to information handling system 700. In aparticular embodiment, network channels 782 and 784 are of a differenttype than peripheral channel 772 and network interface 780 translatesinformation from a format suitable to the peripheral channel to a formatsuitable to external devices. An example of network channels 782 and 784includes InfiniBand channels, Fibre Channel channels, Gigabit Ethernetchannels, proprietary channel architectures, or a combination thereof.Network channels 782 and 784 can be coupled to external networkresources (not illustrated). The network resource can include anotherinformation handling system, a data storage system, another network, agrid management system, another suitable resource, or a combinationthereof.

MC 790 is connected to processors 702 and 704, chipset 710, memory 720,and BIOS/EFI module 740 via a system communication bus 792. MC 790 maybe on a main circuit board such as a baseboard, a motherboard, or acombination thereof), integrated onto another component such as chipset710, in another suitable location, or a combination thereof. In aparticular embodiment, one or more additional resources of informationhandling system 700, such as graphics interface 730, video display 734,I/O interface 770, disk controller 750, and network interface 780 areconnected to MC 790. MC 790 can be part of an integrated circuit or achip set within information handling system 700, and can be on a maincircuit board, on separate circuit board or add-in card disposed withinthe information handling system, or a combination thereof. An example ofMC 790 includes a baseboard management controller (BMC), an integratedDell remote access controller (iDRAC), another controller, or acombination thereof. An example of system communication bus 792 includesan inter-integrated circuit (I²C) bus, a system management bus (SMBus),a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus, a low pin count (LPC) bus,another bus, or a combination thereof.

MC 790 is connected via a network channel 794 to a management station796 that is external to information handling system 700. Managementstation 796 operates in conjunction with management controller 790 toprovide out-of-band management of information handling system 700.Commands, communications, or other signals are communicated between MC790 and management station 796 to monitor status of information handlingsystem 700, to control the operations of the resources of theinformation handling system, and to update the resources. In aparticular embodiment, MC 790 is powered by a separate power plane ininformation handling system 700, so that the MC can be operated whileother portions of the information handling system are powered off. Inanother embodiment, MC 790 is operated during boot of informationhandling system 700.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailherein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover any andall such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fallwithin the scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extentallowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determinedby the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims andtheir equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by theforegoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information handling system comprising: aservice connector operable to receive an RS-232 signal and a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) signal, wherein the service connector comprises a USBtype connector; a voltage converter operable to convert the RS-232signal from a first voltage level to a first serial signal at a secondvoltage level when a signal received by the service connector is theRS-232 signal; a protocol converter operable to convert the USB signalto a second serial signal at the second voltage level when the signalreceived by the service connector is the USB signal; and a universalasynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) operable to receive the firstserial signal and the second serial signal.
 2. The information handlingsystem of claim 1, further comprising: a first multiplexer operable toprovide the RS-232 signal to the voltage converter when the signalreceived by the service connector is the RS-232 signal, and to providethe USB signal to the protocol converter when the signal received by theservice connector is the USB signal; and a second multiplexer operableto provide the first serial signal to the UART when the signal receivedby the service connector is the RS-232 signal, and to provide the secondserial signal to the UART when the signal received by the serviceconnector is the USB signal.
 3. The information handling system of claim2, wherein the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer are in adefault state when the signal received by the service connector is theRS-232 signal, and are in a selected state when the signal received bythe service connector is the USB signal.
 4. The information handlingsystem of claim 3, wherein: the selection of the default state of thefirst multiplexer and the second multiplexer is based upon the absenceof a voltage on a VBUS pin of the service connector when a USB connectoris connected to the service connector; and the selection of the selectedstate of the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer is based uponthe presence of the voltage on the VBUS pin of the service connectorwhen the USB connector is connected to the service connector.
 5. Theinformation handling system of claim 4, further comprising: an indicatorthat is unlit when the voltage is absent, and is lit when the voltage ispresent.
 6. The information handling system of claim 5, wherein theindicator provides an indication that the service connector is not astandard USB connection the indicator is lit.
 7. The informationhandling system of claim 1, further comprising: a chipset component thatincludes the UART: and a control console module connected to the chipsetcomponent, and operable to communicate with a management system via theservice connector.
 8. The information handling system of claim 1,further comprising: an indicator that is unlit when the UART does notreceive the first serial signal and the second serial signal are absentand that is lit when the UART receives the first serial signal or thesecond serial signal.
 9. A method comprising: receiving, at a serviceconnector of an information handling system, a first signal, wherein theservice connector comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) type connector;determining that the first signal is an RS-232 signal; in response todetermining that the first signal is an RS-232 signal: providing theRS-232 signal to a voltage converter operable to convert the RS-232signal from a first voltage level to a second signal at a second voltagelevel; and providing the second signal to a universal asynchronousreceiver/transmitter (UART); and in response to determining that thefirst signal is a USB signal: providing the USB signal to a protocolconverter operable to convert the USB signal to a third signal at thesecond voltage level; and providing the third signal to the UART. 10.The method of claim 9, further comprising: in further response todetermining that the first signal is the RS-232 signal: providing theRS-232 signal to the voltage converter via a first port of a firstmultiplexer; and providing the second signal to the UART via a firstport of a second multiplexer; and in further response to determiningthat the first signal is the USB signal: providing the USB signal to thevoltage converter via a second port of the first multiplexer; andproviding the third signal to the UART via a second port of the secondmultiplexer.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: setting thefirst multiplexer and the second multiplexer into a default state infurther response to determining that the first signal is the RS-232signal; and setting the first multiplexer and the second multiplexerinto a selected state in further response to determining that the firstsignal is the USB signal.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein:determining that a VBUS pin of the service connector does not provide avoltage level; selecting of the default state of the first multiplexerand the second multiplexer in response to determining that the VBUS pindoes not provide the voltage level; determining that the VBUS pinprovides the voltage level; and selecting of the selected state of thefirst multiplexer and the second multiplexer in response to determiningthat the VBUS pin provides the voltage level.
 13. The method of claim12, further comprising: providing an indication when the VBUS pinprovides the voltage level.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theindicator provides an indication that the service connector is not astandard USB connection the indication is provided.
 15. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: providing, from the UART second signal andthe third signal to a control console module of the information handlingsystem; and communicating between the control console module and amanagement system via the service connector.
 16. The method of claim 9,further comprising: providing an indication when the UART receives thesecond signal or the third signal.
 17. An information handling systemcomprising: a service connector operable to receive an RS-232 signal anda Universal Serial Bus (USB) signal, wherein the service connectorcomprises a USB type connector; a voltage converter operable to convertthe RS-232 signal from a first voltage level to a serial signal at asecond voltage level when a signal received by the service connector isthe RS-232 signal; a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART)operable to receive the serial signal; and an indicator that is unlitwhen a VBUS pin of the service connector does not provide a voltagelevel and that is lit when the VBUS pin provides the voltage level. 18.The information handling system of claim 17, wherein the indicatorprovides an indication that the service connector is not a standard USBconnection when the indicator is lit.
 19. The information handlingsystem of claim 17, further comprising: a chipset component thatincludes the UART: and a control console module connected to the chipsetcomponent, and operable to communicate with a management system via theservice connector.
 20. The information handling system of claim 17,further comprising: an indicator that is unlit when the UART does notreceive the serial signal and that is lit when the UART receives theserial signal.